Buy It!

Reese has a new word: "BUY IT!"

It was a beautiful sunny day in Alameda last Sunday--perfect flea marketing weather!

We headed across the SF Bay to the monthly Alameda Antique Fair with #1 daughter, son-in-law, and grandkids in tow, as well as her mother-in-law visiting from Colorado. It was a very fun day.

What my daughter Melissa soon found out is that you don't have your 19 month old child "try something out," if you aren't prepared to "BUY IT." Reese had a melt down when she realized she couldn't take the tricycle home. Needless to say, her mommy had to "BUY IT."

The only thing I was looking for was a pair of crusty, chippy fanback chairs for the reading room balcony. This one was too fragile and there was only one. Darn.

This was the busiest show yet. There were so many great booths too.

Big Daddy's Antiques is my favorite dealer here. He never disappoints. Just back the truck up, because you want to take everything home! I was coveting these columns!

And these wicker barstools.

Oh, be still my heart! A wine stave chandelier for candles! My heart was pounding as I knew this was a one of a kind fixture. Most of them are electric and this one would be perfect in our dining room at the Asti house. People were circling. I knew we might have to fight for it!

After much negotiations with Shane, Big Daddy himself, a deal was made and we decided to "BUY IT"

SOLD!

And so the chandelier obsession continues......

(I think I need an intervention!)

It's Outdoor Wednesday over at A Southern Daydreamer. That's where you will find me and others with our outdoor posts.

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Brocante in California!

Last weekend we searched out antiques in every possible place. From Salvation Army to The Alameda Antique Faire and all the antique stores in between!

The Alameda Antique Faire was quiet because of Super Bowl Sunday. Fine with me!

I always make a point to visit Big Daddy Antiques. Shown here is one of their industrial tables and two incredible lanterns.

I thought this lamp was incredible too!

This center island for a kitchen is my favorite. If I ever remodel a kitchen from scratch, I would consider this. Can't you just imagine copper pots hanging from that rack? I think I would prefer the surface to be Carrera marble though.

This large birdcage was up for consideration.

I would have bought this cement della robbia but the dealer wanted too much money for it. It was also broken on the back. Too bad.

Isn't this a great idea for an urban "fire pit?" A pot of sand with votives. No pollution!

What we did buy though was this chair! Underneath are two wooden candlesticks.

Back at home, we assessed our damage! Not too bad really. Here is a close up of the candlesticks on the chair.

Close up of the chair detail. I love the fleur de lis of course!

So what else did we buy last weekend? Well, these purple glasses found at Salvation Army Distribution Center in Healdsburg were a great buy. Practically free!

A few pieces of "hotel silver" were also "free!"

I couldn't resist this Weller jardiniere, even though I have two of them already. This one was cracked, so it was also "free."

This chair was such a deal! I know I will find a place for it someday. Can't you see it in a bathroom?

I think I should get back into the antique and collectibles business! I let my space go a couple of years ago, and maybe it's time to find a collective again and start reselling my stuff!

I'm linking up to Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday.

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Alameda Point Antique Faire

The first Sunday of every month I travel across the Bay to Alameda for the Alameda Point Antique Faire. It is the largest antique and collectible fair in Northern California with 800 dealers and 10,000 attending. I never fail to find something there!

Sunday, December 6th was very cold, but it didn't stop anybody! Imagine how excited I was to see THE Eddie Ross! He was leading a tour of the show and stopping at various booths, talking about what was being sold and what he would do with it. Here he is "holding court" talking about vintage bottles.

Well I was too shy and he was too busy to introduce myself. So I let him continue on with his tour and I got down to some serious hunting and gathering.

One of my favorite dealers is Big Daddy Antiques and they never fail to disappoint. They specialize in vintage and antique garden decor, as well as furniture, paintings, mirrors and unique objects for the home.

I love that pendant! And the linen upholstered chairs!

A really cool sconce mounted on a really cool door.

I wish I had a place for this table!

Here is another favorite dealer. I collect alabaster lamps and she usually has some wonderful ones. She also has vintage shell art, like shell studded mirrors and boxes.

Her booth is pure eye candy!

I love this settee upholstered in linen and burlap. However, I cannot bring another sofa or settee home!

But maybe I have room for another chair? Beautifully upholstered in vintage grain sack.

Speaking of grain sacks! This dealer specializes in vintage linens and pillows.

So many to choose from!

We stopped at this booth and met Carmella who makes unique pillows and lampshades out of vintage grain sacks. I bought two pillows from her, but she wouldn't sell me her garland! I tried though.

It turns out I already own two lampshades made by her. Her friend (peeking out) sold them to me at the Hillsborough show. What a small world! She also sold me my beloved St. Francis statue a couple of years ago. We had quite a gabfest and I'm definitely staying in touch with these fun ladies.

Mr. A loves collecting these Black Forest antlers. These were unique because they had the dates: 1930 and 1939. So we bought them!

The last stop before heading home was to visit Mike. He owns Healdsburg Classic Antiques, a huge antique collective in Healdsburg, California. We always stop in and say hi when we go to the Wine Country. Mike is from Ireland and loves to talk and tell a story.

The next show is Sunday, January 3rd. That's 2010.....! Weather permitting, I will be there.

I'm linking up to Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday. Check out her blog and the great posts she hosts for this weekly event.

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